Medical Diagnostics Test - Easy Version

Radiation waves

x-rays (radiation waves)

Radio Waves

High frequency sound waves

Gamma rays (radiation waves)

Black & White based on DENSITY - Bone and teeth (white) - Air (black) - Other tissues/fluid (grey shades) Image is 2-D

Black & white based on DENSITY - Bones and teeth (white) - Air (black) - Other tissues/fluid (grey) - Images are taken in cross-section Can be viewed as 2-D images or can be put together to make 3-D

Black & white based on WATER CONTENT - Bones and teeth (black) - Air (white) - Other tissues/fluid (grey) (opposite colours to x-rays) MRI’s work based on hydrogen atoms’, so tissues with more water will contain more hydrogen and have a better reaction.

Black & white based on ECHOES - Bones and teeth (white) - Fluid/air (black) - Other tissues (grey)

Blue & Yellow Areas with high metabolic or biochemical activity will be yellow, others will be blue. Blue - normal activity Yellow - hot spot = high activity

Fast and easy, especially in emergencies Painless Accessible

Very highly detailed images and can be made 3-D

no radiation, safer

no radiation is used Only diagnostic tool that allows you to see live images

Shows how the body is functioning rather than just how it looks

Exposure to radiation (10 days worth) which can cause DNA to mutate and lead to cancer Less information about soft tissues

3-5 years worth of radiation

Patients with metal (pacemakers, screws, etc) cannot use it Long waits

Less efficient if the patient is obese as the sound has more layers to go through

8-10 years of radiation takes upwards of 2 hours